Minister Launches "Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2026" to Elevate Industry Standards

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, officially inaugurated the Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2026 during a virtual kick-off event on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Now in its second year, the program serves as the highest form of recognition for stakeholders, managers, and practitioners who have made significant contributions to the transformation of Indonesian tourism.

"Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2026 is not just a ceremony, but a program implementation to raise standards and ensure that Indonesia's tourism development is globally competitive," Minister Widiyanti said, asquoted by the ministry's official website.

She emphasized that the awards are designed to guide the sector toward becoming more dignified, sustainable, and impactful.

The Minister outlined five key focus areas that serve as the new benchmarks for Indonesian tourism excellence, beginning with a commitment to destination quality by enhancing the physical and experiential appeal of tourist sites. This is paired with an emphasis on human resource service quality, which aims to elevate the hospitality and professional standards of industry workers across the nation.

To further distinguish the sector, the ministry is focusing on product and attraction quality by developing innovative and high-value tourism offerings. This growth is balanced by a dedication to environmental sustainability, prioritizing eco-friendly practices and conservation efforts to protect Indonesia's natural assets.

The strategy includes a focus on impactful events, ensuring that both national and regional gatherings drive significant and measurable economic and social benefits for local communities.

The 2026 edition adopts the theme "Nusantara Harmony for Quality and Sustainable Tourism," reflecting a commitment to excellence that remains in sync with cultural and environmental preservation.

To spur best practices across the industry, the ministry has introduced 11 diverse award categories, starting with regional excellence, which honors the Best Tourism Villages and Best Tourism Hamlets. The awards also recognize industry leadership by celebrating the Most Inspiring Tourism Leader, the Tourism Warriors of 2026, and Key Figures in the MICE Industry.

Furthermore, the program emphasizes sustainability and partnership through categories such as Sustainable Restaurants, Green KEN (Kharisma Event Nusantara) 2026, and Best Co-branding Partner Collaborations. The ministry acknowledges the importance of digital influence by including a dedicated award for the Best Travel Content Creator.

The virtual launch saw widespread participation, including 38 Governors, 514 Regents and Mayors, and various ministerial and corporate representatives. Acting Deputy for Events at the Ministry of Tourism, Vinsensius Jemadu, noted that this massive outreach aims to ensure transparency and high participation across all regions.

"This aims to inform the implementation mechanism of the Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2026 while increasing awareness and participation from all tourism actors," Vinsensius explained.

He expressed hope that the event would solidify the commitment between the central government, regional authorities, and the private sector to build a robust and sustainable tourism ecosystem.

The event was also attended by Vice Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa, signaling a unified front in the ministry’s mission to position Indonesia as a premier, sustainable global destination.

The launch of the Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2026 represents a strategic shift from simple promotion to performance-based evaluation. By rewarding "Green KEN" and "Sustainable Restaurants," the Ministry is effectively incentivizing eco-conscious business models, ensuring that the rapid growth of the sector does not come at the expense of Indonesia's natural assets.

Furthermore, the emphasis on inter-agency and cross-regional collaboration, evidenced by the involvement of hundreds of local leaders, demonstrates a "Total Football" approach to tourism. This unified national standard ensures that a traveler’s experience remains high-quality whether they are in a remote tourism village or a major urban MICE hub, ultimately strengthening the global brand equity of "Wonderful Indonesia." ***